Home > What's New? > Federation/Branch Reports

Federation/Branch Reports

July 14, 2023

Shorinji Kempo scholarship project

contributed by Torino Branch, Italy

 

“We are pleased to announce the launch of the first educational grant programme sponsored by the Shorinji Kempo Torino Branch, Italy and aimed at supporting Shorinji Kempo course attendance at the Fight and Fun gym in Corso Sebastopoli, Turin.

Thanks to the cooperation of the Croce Verde Association of Condove and to the generosity of its President, Ms Floriana Villamaina and the doctor, Ms Selene Tosetto, the project will support one practitioner for one year, covering the entire costs of registration, clothing, exams and participation in Shorinji Kempo events and activities.

The initiative embodies our intention to apply the guiding principle of Shorinji Kempo: “Half for one’s own happiness and half for the happiness of others”, promoting individual development as a way to improve society. Allowing someone to join a group, to train body and mind and to make new friends will benefit everyone. This is the philosophy which inspired the foundation of Shorinji Kempo and we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all those who have contributed to make this important project possible.

 

November 12, 2019

German Training Camp 2019 with 40th Anniversary of Shorinji Kempo in Germany

In 1979 Walther Wunderle, today’s Honorary President of the German Shorinji Kempo Association, founded the first Dojo (Sugakusa) in Germany after his return from Japan at the request of Satoh Sensei in the city of Augsburg. He had been in Japan for almost 4 years to study martial arts “at the source”. Finally he met there Satoh Sensei, who taught him in Shorinji Kempo. Walter Wunderle found in Shorinji Kempo a martial art that combines both physical practice and personal growth. He was taught by Satoh Sensei during his numerous stays in Japan, as well as by Aosaka Sensei during European courses.

Wunderle Sensei is now 7th Dan Junhanshi and is the first European to reach this rank. One of his first students Kurt Kammerl, current president of the German Association, founded the second Dojo in Augsburg East in 1986. Over the years, the German Shorinji Kempo community has grown.

The German Shorinji Kempo Association was officially founded in 2001 and now has 8 dojos. In addition to Augsburg, dojos with a total of about 250 Kenshi were created in Königsbrunn, Kammerstein, Schwabmünchen, Bobingen, Berlin and Munich. In the context of the celebrations to the 40th anniversary of Shorinji Kempo in Germany an international Gasshuku was organized from 18.10. -20.10.2019. 10 nations with about 140 Kenshi took part.

At the invitation of Lord Mayor Kurt Gribl, a delegation came together in the Prince’s Room of the Augsburg Town Hall on 18 October to take part in a festive reception on the occasion of the anniversary.

On behalf of the Lord Mayor Mrs. Petra Keller welcomed the representatives of Japan, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Russia and Switzerland as well as the Branchmaster of the German Dojos and the Managing Director of the German Japanese Society Rainer Völlmerk. The Consul General Tetsuja Kimura and the Deputy President Douglas Beard addressed greetings to the representatives of the participating nations. The martial art Shorinji Kempo was demonstrated in an embu performance. At the end the president of the German association Kurt Kammerl thanked for the greetings and the invitation to the reception. This shows the solidarity of the city of Augsburg with Japan and the importance of the martial art Shorinji Kempo for international relations.

The Gasshuku took place in Königsbrunn, a small town near Augsburg. It was led by WSKO Instructor Aosaka Sensei (9th dan daihanshi and Secretary General of the European office Shorinji Kempo), Kenji Satoh Sensei (8th dan daihanshi) with son Takuma Satoh (6th dan junhanshi). Once again we would like to thank all Sensei for their help!

Already on Friday evening the Gasshuku began with skill exercises, which served the first getting to know. Saturday and Sunday were dedicated to the training from 9 to 15 o’clock.

The warm-up on Saturday included yoga exercises and on Sunday an original, dynamic warm-up took place, in which movements of animals were simulated. Kihon and Hokei were followed by work with techniques in groups of different graduations.

As with every course, the instructors encouraged the Kenshi to change partners regularly and work with practitioners from other countries to promote encounters and friendships. The philosophy classes on Saturday given by Aosaka Sensei were dedicated to the virtues jin (仁), gi (義), chû (忠), ko (孝), rei (礼) and haji (恥).

The next day Satoh Sensei informed about the foundation and history of the martial art Shorinji Kempo. He also spoke about his personal experiences and developments in this discipline. On Saturday afternoon the German Association organized a charity gala for the benefit of the association “Weisser Ring” for the victims of crime. Several German dojos and foreign associations presented the different facets of Shorinji Kempo to the public.

The demonstrations included numerous Embu, including the winners of the European Embukais in the 3rd dan category and more from Arnaud Tiquet and Hanna Svedberg.

A special feature was the musically accompanied representation of the Italian federation, as well as a realistic representation of defense techniques in a possible everyday situation.

The Taiko group from Augsburg framed the event with impressive musical interludes. The Augsburger Puppenkiste were guests and enchanted all present with their puppet show. Aosaka Sensei and Satoh Sensei will associate a special memory with the presentation of puppets with Dogi. The gala ended with a “punch and kick challenge” in which almost all Kenshi participated. The spectators should reward the effort of 200 Tsuki and another 100 Geri in a row with a donation. The efforts had been worth it, because at the end a considerable amount of money was added up.

Together with other donations Kurt Kammerl presented a cheque of 1000 Euro to the “White Ring” in the name of the German Shorinji Kempo Association.

On Saturday evening the participants gathered in the hotel for a Bavarian evening. Many Kenshi wore the traditional Bavarian clothes. The participants were spoiled by the Bavarian cuisine in the form of a buffet. A modern dance show enlivened the evening. Afterwards we danced with music and some Sensei took part. The Kampai sounds of the different tables followed. The party ended for most at 24:00 o’clock. Because on Sunday training was on the program again.

For the guests who were still present on Sunday evening they could see how beer is brewed during a brewery tour in Augsburg. Afterwards good Bavarian food followed and of course some beers.

 

 

The International Training Camp in Saint-Petersburg has happened during the first weekend of April 2019. It was the 6th instalment of the event that Baltika Brunch hosts annually under direction of the branch master Alexander Sofronov (4th dan). For three days, (5-7th April) the northern capital of Russia welcomed Kenshies from all over the country as well as international honored guests:Sensei Didier Camp (6th Dan) from France, Sensei Alex Tilly (5th dan) from Sweden, Sensei Kurt Kammerl (6th dan) and Sensei Manfred Birling (5th dan) from Germany , Sensei Seppo Ruusukivi (5th dan) and Sensei Timo Mäki-Kuutti (5th dan) from Finland. The seminars began on Friday (5th of April) in the evening and finished on Sunday (7th of April) afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

Alongside the 6th International Training Camp, the first Russian Embukai has happened. In the morning of the 6th of April Russian Kenshi took part at the Embukai at the categories Kyu-Kenshi and Dan-kenshi. The judges were the branch masters and key instructors of the main brunches in Russia and included Alexey Rokitsky (5th dan), Makoto Hamakava (5th dan), Anatoly Lukutin (4th dan), Alexander Kramar (3rd dan) and Anton Kozlov (3rd dan).

The first place winners of the Russian Embukai are Natalia Sotnikova and Igor Titov (Baltika Brunch) – category Dan-kenshi; Alexander Semchenko and Eugeny Khukhryantsky (Moscow Brunch) – category Kyu-Kenshi.

The Seminar and Russian Embukai have been included into the program of events that celebrates cross-cultural Year of cooperation between Russia and Japan and became part of the 19th Festival «Japanese Spring in Saint-Petersburg» organized by Japanese embassy. For the award ceremony Russian Embukai has been delighted to welcome the general consul of Japan in Saint-Petersburg – Mr. Yasumasa Iijima. 

For russian Kenshis and Senseis it was, as always, a remarkable experience that boost their motivation and confidence to deepen their knowledge in Shorinji Kempo, to connect more with like-minded people from all over the world, to contribute for the spreading of Kaiso’s teaching in their hometowns and for general development of Shorinji Kempo in Russia.  Russian Kenshis and Senseis are extremely grateful to international guests for their support and master-classes and hope to engage with more techniques and practices next year! 

     

 

 

August 24, 2018

On June 8th & 9th, 2018, 106 kenshi coming from U.S. and Canada participated in the North American Shorinji Kempo Training Camp at the Astro Gym of Seattle University, Seattle, WA. The branches are: Ann Arbor, Asheville, BC Tozenji, Berkeley, Boston, Downtown New York, East Portland, Los Angeles, Monterey, Mt. Diablo, Northern Utah, Orange County, Peninsula, Portland, Quad Cities, Salem, San Francisco, Seattle, Seattle University, Silicon Valley, South Bay, South Florida, Vancouver, Vancouver Pacific, Yuma, and World Bank. Mr. Kazuhiro Kawashima sensei, Secretary General of the World Shorinji Kempo Federation, was the main instructor. For 2 days, we practiced from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and enjoyed all practice together: Kihon, Hokei, Unyoho, and Embu.

At the evening of June 9th, we had a dinner party at the Chinese Restaurant at the beautiful Seattle Harbor. We enjoyed having delicious meals and drinks as well as enjoying fun conversation together.

<The 6th North American Shorinji Kempo Taikai>
On June 10th (Sun), 2018, the 6th North American Shorinji Kempo Taikai was conducted with 152 kenshi attendees. There were 2 categories: Competition & Exhibition Divisions.
After the Taikai opened at 9 a.m., more than 100 audiences enjoyed watching and were very impressed with techniques with sharp movement and big Kiai. After every Embu or Unyoho was finished, the audiences gave big hands to kenshis.

After the closing ceremony, all kenshi praised each other and promised to meet at the next Study Session and the Taikai next ear.

United States Shorinji Kempo Federation really appreciate all the participants’ precious time and passion to Shorinji Kempo!

 

   

   

  

Seattle, California, U.S.A / June, 2018
Contributor: Kazuki Arita, Secretary General, United States Shorinji Kempo Federation

August 24, 2018

On 28 and 29 April 2018 was organized on XXIII Italian National Gasshuku “ITALIA 2018” at the Palazzetto dello Sport “PalaFerraris”, Casale Monferrato (AL).
This event was attended by around 250 people, including Sensei and Kenshi, and friends from other parts of Europe (England, France, Germany, Sweden).
The inevitable presence of all Italian Branch Masters and especially the presence of Hiroshi Aosaka Sensei (9° Dan Daihanshi), from France, always regular guests of all our National events.
This event, being an official Seminar of SHORINJI KEMPO UNITY, in addition to practice, was also given a lot of importance to the philosophical part, personally supervised by Sensei Aosaka that we remember he is the Director of the WSKO European Office.
For the technical practice he was helped by Sensei Nobutaka Mukaida (7° Dan Seihanshi (President of Nara Prefecture – WSKO Instructor) and Sensei Mayumi Okuda (5° Dan Daikenshi (Vice President of Nara Prefecture).

The workouts are started on April 28 afternoon with Chinkon-Gyo then, were performed Kihon and Hokei, alternately, by the various Branch Masters.
Then during the course of the morning there was divided by degrees where everyone has rehearsed its technical program, always under the supervision of Aosaka Sensei and Mukaida Sensei who alternated in and in-depth explanations of the various techniques.
The next day, the workout restarted in the same way on Saturday, always alternating moments of Howa. After the final greetings and gifts delivery, on the afternoon of Sunday 29, the works were completed.

On April 28 morning, Taikai was held. There were all the specialties and this year we introduced the randori / un’yoho. There were about 100 athletes from all over Italy involved in Kumi Embu competitions in pairs, Kumi Embu Tan-en and Randori.

We thank all those who helped for the success of the event, all the teachers and athletes who have come from all over Italy with the hope to meet again in the next European Taikai in Sweden in July 2019.

We were also pleased to host during the time of Solidarity to support the “Associazione Pulmino Amico Onlus” of Casale Monferrato that provides free transportation to patients through the work of professionals and volunteers carefully selected, trained and coordinated with the aim of providing the patient and the his family a human and psychological help.

Thank you all.

 

     

   

   

   

    

   

   

   

 

 

June 21, 2018

The 33rd Paris Martial Arts Festival, one of the most famous and the biggest martial arts show in the world was held. Hiroshi Aosaka sensei, who is a coach of the Franch Federation, Daihansih, 9th dan, and kenshi of the French Shorinji Kempo Federation performed a demonstration of Shorinji Kempo. 15,000 people gathered at the prestig-ious Accor Hotels Arena (formerly known as the Palais Omnisport Paris Bercy) on Saturday, March 24 to enjoy the show, which was broadcast on several television channels in European countries. Over 30 styles were represented between 8 p.m. and midnight. The event is organized each year by the biggest martial arts magazine in France, Karate Bushido.

In recent years, people like spectacular demonstrations with speed, power, strength and break tests. Unfortunately, true traditional martial arts are scarcer. However, Shorinji Kempo demonstrates essence of Budo steadily even today.

At the ideal time of 9 p.m., Aosaka sensei, 9th dan, and six kenshi stepped in. Aosaka sensei started off with a demonstration of two shakujo embu with two themes, kaze and kaza guruma. After that, kenshi performed shuteki toho. Aosaka Sensei then came forward once again, performing additional shuteki toho with kenshi. Trusting the enthusiastic applause that followed, the surprised spectators deeply enjoyed the demonstration, which lasted a total of seven minutes. The organizer was also very ap-preciative.

The show went very well. It could be watched on television all throughout Europe, and also was a significant opportunity for Shorinji Kempo. Aosaka sensei has partici-pated in this festival around ten times since 1980.

At age 72, Aosaka sensei was the oldest expert of the event. Shorinji Kempo was widely spread in Europe, thanks to the ongoing efforts of Aosaka Sensei for now half a century.

We hope and believe that Shorinji Kempo will keep growing. To all kenshi of the world, it was a great pleasure.

Ivan Roth (Paris Branch)
French Shorinji Kempo Federation

 

  

  

  

 

 

 

The 1st Woman Shorinji Kempo Taikai was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on April 19-20, 2018. The event was held on April 19 – 20 to remind the born of Raden Ajeng Kartini, one of Indonesian national heroines and aristocrate who had been written that Indonesian women lived under pressure. She was born on April 21st and Indonesian people celebrate it every year. This event was followed by only woman Kenshi and this is the first time in the world of Shorinji Kempo. This event was also held in order to commemorate Christina Siwi Handayani, woman Kenshi, former Chairman of the Provincial Board of Yogyakarta who passed away on August 1, 2013. This event was followed by approximately 200 women Kenshi from branches in Indonesia.

Kartini is well-known to her tenacity and persistence to promote women equality and emancipation. Indonesian women in the past are felt far behind from men in every aspect of human life, speaking of freedom, education, sports, etc

   

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2018 France National Taikai and training camp took place on April 14 and 15 in Paris. Over 160 kenshi from France, but also from Belgium, Monaco, Holland, Sweden and even the USA gathered to practice and compete during the embukai. The event was supervised by Aosaka Hiroshi Sensei, 9th dan daihanshi.

 

Saturday morning

Saturday morning was very sunny in Paris. At 9 a.m., training started with chinkon gyo and taiso. A group of 30 kenshi then separated to take grading examinations, while the remaining kenshi continued practicing techniques with high graded instructors. They studied both goho and juho techniques and had the opportunity to work with kenshi from different branches.

 

Examination

The examinees were kenshi from minarai to 2nd dan. They all gave their best and succeeded in their respective exams, obtaining ranks from 6th kyu to 3rd dan. Congratulations to all of them!

 

Gakka

The morning session ended with a gakka by Aosaka Sensei. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of ichi go ichie (to live every day as though it were last) which is the correct way to apprehend our lives. By taking the time every action requires, no more, no less, we can walk on the path of health, strength, security and friendship.

 

Saturday afternoon – embukai

The embukai took place in the afternoon. The competition started with a demonstration by Didier Denmat and Frederic Juhel, both 5th dan and received a prize of the best performers in the European Taikai held in Lisboa, Portugal, in october 2015. 13 kyukenshi and 15 yudansha couples competed. The competition ended with three more demonstrations, one by Yuko Irie Beyer (1st dan) and her husband, Olivier Beyer (5th dan), and two by children, to the audience’s delight. Thank you to all participants !

 

Here are the results of the embukai:

kyukenshi

  • 1st: Benjamin Blain (2ndkyu) and Magalie Marchello (4th kyu), from the Pontchâteau branch;
  • 2nd: Florian Renaudin (2nd kyu) and Florian Mouliade (2nd kyu), from Cholet branch;
  • 3rd: Gilles Amador del Valle (2ndkyu) and Sébastien Node (2nd kyu), from Vallet branch;
  • Best women embu : Aurélie Rochelle (2nd kyu) and Marie Valentin (1st kyu), from Paris Shibu;
  • Best 5th/4th kyu embu : Vanessa Moreau (4th kyu) and Stéphane Fontanet (4th kyu), from Pontchâteau branch.

 

yudansha

  • 1st: Emma Juhel (1stkyu) and Mickaël Toscanelli (1st dan), from Cholet branch;
  • 2nd: Rachid Guendouze (3rddan) and Noël Ly (3rd dan), from Gennevilliers branch;
  • 3rd : Kristen Regardin (4thdan) and Laurent Leguay (4th dan), respectively teachers from Pontchâteau and Lamotte-Beuvron
  • Best women embu: Dominique Pasquier (2nddan) from Vallet Branch and Laurence Joly (4th dan), teacher in Saint-Nicolas-de-Redon branch.

 

Closing of Saturday training and embukai

At the end of the day, all kenshi were invited by the French federation to have a social gathering and take some time to deepen friendship. This is also what Shorinji Kempo is for: meeting, getting to know each other, sharing and evolving together. We all had a very pleasant time after this intense first day of the taikai.

 

Sunday

The training camp continued on Sunday. As on Saturday, it started with chinkon gyo, taiso and kihon followed by pratice in level groups with high graded teachers. Aosaka Sensei was active within each group, often showing techniques himself, to the delight of the participants.

At the end of the training camp, after having changed clothes and said farewell, everyone returned home, looking forward to the next event. This year, the following France national training camp will exceptionally be held in Brussels, Belgium. This will happen on June 16. It was also announced that the next European Taikai will be in Stockholm, Sweden, in July 2019.

We hope to see you there !

 

Illustration 1: Aosaka Sensei, 9th dan daihanshi and Giovanni Tramontini, deputy national technical director of the French Federation of Karate

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5th Annual Shorinji Kempo Russian Training Camp

For three days from 6 to 8 of April, the 5th Annual Shorinji Kempo Russian Training Camp in Saint-Petersburg (Russia) was held.

All branch masters and kenshies from all Russain branches: Moscow Branch and Sungir Branch (Moscow), Baltika Branch (Saint-Petersburg) and Volga Branch (Nijniy Novgorod) took part in this training camp. Moreover senseis and kenshies from Sweden, Germany and Kyrgyzstan came to Saint-Petersburg to take part in this training camp. Total number of participants were 68 people.

Training sessions during the camp were conducted by instructors from Russia and Sweden: Anders Pettersson (Sweden, 6th dan), Alexei Rokitskii (Russia, 5th dan), Alex Tilly (Sweden, 5th dan), Makoto Hamakawa (Russia, 5th dan), Alexander Sofronov (Russia, 4th dan) and Anatoliy Lukutin (Russia, 4th dan). Assistance for the senseis was providing by Alexander Kramar (Russia, 3rd dan), Valeriy Karibyan (Russia, 3rd dan) and Anton Kozlov (Russia, 3rd dan).

On the first day there were training sessions of randori practice: distance, speed, counterattack, the entrance to the enemy, psychological preparation.

On the second day the participants were divided into 4 groups (minarai-4 kyu, 3-2 kyu, 1 kyu-1 dan, 2 dan+), and there were at first some practice on basic forms, then practice on different go ho and ju ho technics. Also Alex Tilly (sensei from Sweden) gave a lecture: “Thinking man’s martial art”.

On the third day there were also practice on some basic forms, then go ho and ju ho practice in groups, and at last some kumi embu and randori practice. Also Alexei Rokitskii (branch-master of Moscow branch) gave a lecture: “Mediation – the discipline of mind, improving the discipline of the body”.

This time Russian Shorinji Kempo training camp in Saint-Petersburg became one of the participants of the 18th festival “Japanese spring in Saint-Petersburg”. This festival is holding by the General Consulate of Japan in Saint-Petersburg every year. This festival collects different cultural and sport events, which are related with Japan and Japanese culture.
Within the framework of the festival there were held demonstrations of Shorinji Kempo technics on the second day of the training camp. Kenshies and senseis from all Russian branches took part in the demonstrations, also two participants from Germany performed kumi embu.

December 26, 2017

On December 17th, 2017 has been held in Biznaga Branch Dojo, in the city of Malaga, an Open Day, part of the Christmas activities organized by the Teatinos district.

The day’s practice was very pleasant and very gratifying to see how some people enjoy and learn for the first time Shorinji Kempo. The event was attended by participants and spectators of the district who came to know our art, kenshis of Biznaga Branch and friends of others Shorinji Kempo Branches.

Angel Sensei (Biznaga Branch Master), prepared a varied practice with the intention of showing as much as possible to all those attending the extent of Shorinji Kempo. There was a little bit of everything for the promotion and dissemination of Shorinji Kempo.

The practice began with a good Jumbi Undo consisting of a complete warming and stretching of the entire body. After that, Kihon was executed with movements and combinations where the importance of correct positions and weights of the body was explained.

Began technical partner, alternating Goho (positions, movements, stops, hitting, kicking, etc.) and Juho (projections, dislocations, forms of detention, etc.) from different families and degrees. Gakka is fundamental part in the practice of Shorinji Kempo so, Angel Sensei also explained that Shorinji Kempo is a discipline (gyo) created by Kaiso as a method of human development through personal effort where self-confidence, courage and strength are gained (Jiko Kakuritsu) to obtain collaborative spirit and promote mutual happiness (Jita Kyoraku). The event ended with photos of the group and acknowledgements by the instructor and by the assistants for the opportunity to know the Shorinji Kempo.